Now, I confess myself as belonging to that class in the…
“Now, I confess myself as belonging to that class in the country who contemplate slavery as a moral, social and political evil, having due regard for its actual existence amongst us and the difficulties of getting rid of it in any satisfactory way, and to all the constitutional obligations which have been thrown about it; but, nevertheless, desire a policy that looks to the prevention of it as a wrong, and looks hopefully to the time when as a wrong it may come to an end.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Lincoln acknowledges slavery’s deep roots and moral wrong, urging policies to prevent it while recognizing the difficulty of eradication.
In simple terms: He sees slavery as a moral evil and wants to stop it.
Key Takeaway
Support policies that aim to end slavery.
Themes
morality
politics
human rights
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative debate
- civil rights activism
- educational curricula
- community organizing
Key Concepts
abolition
social justice
policy reform
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance moral urgency with practical steps?
- What responsibilities do citizens have to confront lingering injustices?
A Different Perspective
Abolition alone may not address systemic racism.